We’re as addicted to end-of-year list-making as your average bloggers. But after a while, we get sick of seeing the same names over and over again. Hey, did you hear about that Kanye album? How about The Social Network — pretty great, huh? That’s why Flavorpill is launching a new yearly tradition: The Underrated Awards, honoring our favorite people and things from the cultural universe that we feel have been criminally under-appreciated. Our second installment focuses on 2010′s most unfairly overlooked albums, from records released early in the year that were forgotten by the time best-of season rolled around to releases too strange to garner much attention outside of a small niche.
Fol Chen — Pt. II: The New December
It’s rare that a band’s sound is unmistakable, and with Pt. II Fol Chen are well on their way to being able to claim that badge of honor. They write pop songs, some so smooth you’ll feel a little guilty for liking them, but with an ominous air that never lets you get too comfortable. Grating synths and triumphant horns fill out a solid but not-too-dense wall of sound that swells and falls away in perfect harmony with the lyrics and movement of each track. Filled with images of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, this album is coming with us when the zombies take over.
Comments (18)
Thanks for getting the conversation started… I have been tirelessly trying to get some traction for these faves of 2010:
Holly Miranda – The Magician’s Private Library (richly textured soundtracks to dreams you haven’t had yet – and her glorious voice)
Breton – Sharing Notes (sharp-elbowed electro-punk for Massive Attack & Lo Fidelity All-Stars fans)
Gecko Turner – Gone Down South (further explorations in rhythms and joy from the Portuguese wizard)
What abut “High Places vs Mankind”. The fact that it hasn’t popped up in every single year end poll under the sun has made me lose all faith in the human race. Well done for mentioning Menomena though.
Don’t forget Robyn!
Good suggestions, guys! The High Places album especially. Although I can’t say I agree that Robyn was underrated. Just about everyone is singing her praises…
Nice call on Menomena. Those guys are amazing (and great show at Webster last month). 3 more: Rogue Wave/Permalight: It’s a pop record, but very well done. Jaill/That’s How We Burn: Nothing earth-shattering, but a lot of fun. Screaming Females/Castle Talk: Anyone who has seen them live knows what a force Marisa is, but there are some really good songs on this record.
Meursault – All Creatures Will Make Merry
Pantha Du Prince – Black Noise
And I’d almost say MGMT – Congratulations since the album attracted its fair share of haters/misunderstanders.
Wow, Noveller, yer cool!
Definitely a great call on Menomena. Also, Fudgy – you’re spot on, Screaming Females kill it live and absolutely deserve more credit than they’ve gotten.
I can also agree with MGMT, the album’s a lot better than the haters say it is
Other overlooked albums:
Philip Selway – Familial
Blonde Redhead – Penny Sparkle
Minus The Bear – OMNI
Bombay Bicycle Club – Flaws
Klaxons – Surfing The Void
The Thermals – Personal Life
darker my love 2
black angels i forgot the name of it, but the one that just came out
black lips 200 million
dead meadow old growth
2010 was a sooooooo nice year with so many great songs!!
William Fitzsimmons – so this is goodbye (pink ganter remix)
LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change
Foals – Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix)
Tallest Trees – Skinny Little Wrists
Smashing Pumpkins – Spangled
Saadi – BadSeeds
noiserv – 07:10 pm – Time2
Temper Trap – fools
Warpaint – Undertow
Sean Hayes – Powerful Stuff
my complete list on Itunes that i hear and hear in looping are 56 from 2010 ;o)
Stereolab’s “Not Music”
I’m glad you have Fol Chen on the list. :D
But
by no means is “The Drums” underrated. It’s gotten its deserved recognition already. Heck..even MySpace put them on their list.
for album: Jonquil
for EP: NazcarNation
Good calls all around (though Black Lips didn’t come out this year). Glad to see someone else loves Fol Chen, too! And I stick by it, the Drums deserved more recognition than they got.
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This is the worst list I’ve ever encountered. Who wrote this shit list?
Wow, never thought I’d see Zs on a big blog like this. Thought the rest of the list was meh, but that was refreshing
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